Air Force Missileers The Quarterly Newsletter of the Association of Air Force Missileers Volume 25, Number 3 “Advocates for Missileers” September 2017

Sentinel Warriors 1 Cheyenne in 2018, Our 25th Anniversary 2 South Dakota Titan I 3 Missileer Leaders 4 Missile Models on Display 9 Minuteman Missile NHS News 10 New Atlas Models, Missile Squadron Update 11 Minuteman Key Return 16 A Word from AAFM, Letters 17 New Members Page, Taps for Missileers 18 Donations Pages 19 Registration for 2018 National Meeting Inside Back Cover Reunions and Meetings Back Cover

The Mission of the Association of Air Force Missileers - - Preserving the Heritage of Air Force Missiles and the people involved with them - Recognizing Outstanding Missileers - Keeping Missileers Informed - Encouraging Meetings and Reunions - Providing a Central Point of Contact for Missileers Association of Air Force Missileers Membership Categories Membership Application Annual ($20) ____ Active Duty/Student ($5) ____ Complete and mail to: Three Years ($50) ____ Active Duty/Student ($14) ____ AAFM PO Box 5693 Lifetime ($300) ____ (Payable in up to 12 installments) Breckenridge, CO 80424 Awarded Missile Badge - Yes _____ No _____ or log on to www.afmissileers.org Member Number ______

Name Home Phone

Address E-mail

City State Zip Code Rank/Grade Active Retired Duty Reserve or Can AAFM release this information-only to members and missile organizations? Yes ____ No ___ Nat Guard Discharged/ Separated Civilian Signature

Summary of your missile experience - used in the AAFM database - attach bio if you have one GLCM __ JCMPO__ Missile Systems and Units Matador ____ Blue Scout ___ Titan I ___ 568___ Titan II 38___ 303___ 485___ Navaho____ Thor___ Units _____ Unit ______569___ 850___ 851______308___ Units______703/451SMW___ 381____ 390 486___ 487___ 501___ Dug- Snark ______way__ 868TMTS/G______Atlas D___ E___ F___ 548___ 549___ 702SMW ____ Mace ____ 550___ 551___ 556___ 567___ 576___ Minuteman I____ II/Mod____ III____ Bomarc ___ Units______Jupiter ____ 577___ 578___ 579___ 706/389SMW__ Peacekeeper____ 44___ 90___ Units ______Italy___ Tur- 91/455 ___ 321 ___ 341 ___ 351______ALCS___ 2ACCS___4ACCS___ key ___ 4062 (MM Train)___ Small ICBM__ Space Systems___ Thor___ Atlas___ Titan II___ Titan III___ Titan IV ___ Airlaunch___ AIM___ AIR___ AGM___ SRAM___ Delta ___ Nike ___ Vanguard ___ Scout ___ EELV___ Apollo___ Mercury___ ALCM___ ACM___ AAMRAM___ RPV/Drone___ Gemini___ MOL___ Agena___ ABRES___ Ranger___ Shuttle___ Skylab___ Hounddog___ Quail___ Skybolt___ Sat Control___ SpaceSurv___ BMEWS___ DSP___ DMSP___ DSCS___ Other Airlaunch Systems______GPS___ PavePaws___ Other Space System______21SW___ 30SW___ 45SW___ 50SW___ Other Space Units______Airlaunch Units ______

Headquarters/Numbered Air Force/Specialized Units (Check only if assigned to the headquarters level)

JCS/DOD/SECAF___ Air Staff___ AFIG___ AFOTEC___ HqARDC/AFSC___ WDD/BMD/BSD___ HqAFLC ____ AMC___ SAC or JSTPS___ AFSPC___ AFGSC___TAC___ ACC___ BMO___ SAMSO___ SMC___ WTR___ Ogden___ SBALC___ STRATCOM___ PACAF___ USAFE___ EUCOM___ NATO ETR___ 6555___ 6595___ SACSO___ SAALC___ SMALC___ or AAFCE___ AFSOUTH___ AU___ AFMPC/AFPC___ SATAF______AGMC___ SACLO___ DTRA/OSIA____ Other MAJCOM______Division Hq Vandenberg Units 1MslDiv___ 1STRAD___ HqATC?AETC___ CTTC___ LTTC___ NAF 2___ 3___ 5__ 4___ 12___ 392___ 394___ 395___ 576___ 4315___ 3901___ STTC___ VAFB ATC___ 381TRG___ 8___ 14__ 15___ Other ____ 51MMS ____ Other VAFB Units ______392TRS___ 532TRS____ 533TRS ____ 16___ 17___ 20___ Other Units ______

Specialties Operations___ Maintenance___ Munitions___ Comm___ Facility Mgr___ Safety___ Civil Eng___ Support___ Research/Devel/Test___ Instrumentation___ Security___ Contractor___ ( )Other ______Missile/Space Competition Participant___ Years______Commander -Sqdn___ Group___ Wing___ Other______

Other Information______Membership Categories Association of Air Force Missileers 1 Membership Application Annual ($20) ____ Active Duty/Student ($5) ____ Complete and mail to: Three Years ($50) ____ Active Duty/Student ($14) ____ AAFM PO Box 5693 Lifetime ($300) ____ (Payable in up to 12 installments) Breckenridge, CO 80424 Awarded Missile Badge - Yes _____ No _____ Air Force Missileers or log on to www.afmissileers.org Member Number ______The Quarterly Newsletter of the Association of Air Force Missileers Volume 25, Number 3 “Advocates for Missileers” September 2017 Name Home Phone

Address E-mail Maintainers from the 90th Missile Wing pre- City State Zip Code Rank/Grade Active Retired pare the Minuteman III Duty Reserve or missile at India-09 for removal. The Air Force Can AAFM release this information-only to members and missile organizations? Yes ____ No ___ Nat Guard Discharged/ met the ICBM New Separated Civilian START requirements Signature with the removal of this booster from the LF Summary of your missile experience - used in the AAFM database - attach bio if you have one GLCM __ JCMPO__ Missile Systems and Units Matador ____ Blue Scout ___ Titan I ___ 568___ Titan II 38___ 303___ 485___ Navaho____ Thor___ Units _____ Unit ______569___ 850___ 851______308___ Units______703/451SMW___ 381____ 390 486___ 487___ 501___ Dug- Maj Gen Cotton Snark ______way__ 868TMTS/G______Atlas D___ E___ F___ 548___ 549___ 702SMW ____ Mace ____ 550___ 551___ 556___ 567___ 576___ Minuteman I____ II/Mod____ III____ Bomarc ___ Units______- By Major Jupiter ____ 577___ 578___ 579___ 706/389SMW__ Peacekeeper____ 44___ 90___ Sentinel Warriors Lead the Charge in Continuous Improvement Units ______General Anthony J. Cotton, Commander, 20 AF, AAFM Mbr A2222. Italy___ Tur- 91/455 ___ 321 ___ 341 ___ 351______ALCS___ 2ACCS___4ACCS___ It’s been about one year since I last updated AAFM so, in what will likely be my last article as Commander, 20th key ___ 4062 (MM Train)___ Small ICBM__ Air Force (AF), I want to bring you up to speed on a few of our continuous improvement efforts. The Sentinel Warriors Space Systems___ Thor___ Atlas___ Titan II___ Titan III___ Titan IV ___ Airlaunch___ AIM___ AIR___ AGM___ SRAM___ of 20 AF continue to work hard to improve the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) mission and I love to highlight Delta ___ Nike ___ Vanguard ___ Scout ___ EELV___ Apollo___ Mercury___ ALCM___ ACM___ AAMRAM___ RPV/Drone___ their accomplishments. So let me share with you what we’ve done to meet the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New Gemini___ MOL___ Agena___ ABRES___ Ranger___ Shuttle___ Skylab___ Hounddog___ Quail___ Skybolt___ START) requirements, introduce you to our new Missile Security Operating Concept (MSOC) and discuss our integrated Sat Control___ SpaceSurv___ BMEWS___ DSP___ DMSP___ DSCS___ Other Airlaunch Systems______Road Warrior exercise. GPS___ PavePaws___ Other Space System______21SW___ 30SW___ 45SW___ 50SW___ Other Space Units______Airlaunch Units ______On 2 June 2017, the 90th Missile Wing (MW) removed the booster from launch facility (LF) India-09, bringing the nation’s ICBM force in full compliance with the New START. Thanks to the hard work of our maintainers and teamwork Headquarters/Numbered Air Force/Specialized Units (Check only if assigned to the headquarters level) with Air Force Global Strike Command, the System Program Office and the 309th Maintenance Group, we were able to comply with the treaty nine months ahead of schedule! As you know, the New START treaty came into force on 5 February JCS/DOD/SECAF___ Air Staff___ AFIG___ AFOTEC___ HqARDC/AFSC___ WDD/BMD/BSD___ HqAFLC ____ AMC___ 2011 and directed a major change in the Minuteman III force structure. In order to meet treaty limits, we had to remove 50 SAC or JSTPS___ AFSPC___ AFGSC___TAC___ ACC___ BMO___ SAMSO___ SMC___ WTR___ Ogden___ SBALC___ ICBMs from the field by 5 February 2018. STRATCOM___ PACAF___ USAFE___ EUCOM___ NATO ETR___ 6555___ 6595___ SACSO___ SAALC___ SMALC___ Our 400 on-alert ICBMs will rotate through 450 Launch Facilities (LFs), so we are committed to keeping the or AAFCE___ AFSOUTH___ AU___ AFMPC/AFPC___ SATAF______AGMC___ SACLO___ DTRA/OSIA____ Other MAJCOM______50 non-deployed facilities in an operational condition. In fact, our maintenance community is taking it a step further by Division Hq Vandenberg Units 1MslDiv___ 1STRAD___ implementing an innovative way to use this configuration as an opportunity to accomplish periodic depot maintenance HqATC?AETC___ CTTC___ LTTC___ NAF 2___ 3___ 5__ 4___ 12___ 392___ 394___ 395___ 576___ 4315___ 3901___ (PDM) on our LFs. As we complete PDM on these initial 50 LFs, we’ll move boosters to these sites and place the vacated STTC___ VAFB ATC___ 381TRG___ 8___ 14__ 15___ Other ____ 51MMS ____ Other VAFB Units ______LFs in PDM, always careful to maintain New START requirements. 392TRS___ 532TRS____ 533TRS ____ 16___ 17___ 20___ To meet the security demands for New START activities and other missile field maintenance, we are overhauling Other Units ______how we deploy missile security forces. During my Senior Leader Conference in September 2016, I approved a beta test of a new security forces group organizational structure. In the legacy structure, several flights that belonged to different Specialties Operations___ Maintenance___ Munitions___ Comm___ Facility Mgr___ Safety___ Civil Eng___ Support___ Research/Devel/Test___ Instrumentation___ Security___ Contractor___ ( )Other ______squadrons dispatched to fill the Alarm Response Team, Security Response Team and the Flight Security Controller position. In contrast, the Security Escort Teams would depart the main support base in support of maintenance activities while Missile/Space Competition Participant___ Years______Commander -Sqdn___ Group___ Wing___ Other______Camper Alert Teams would stay on base until needed. In MSOC, an entire squadron deploys to the field, it allows leaders to be with their Airmen while on-duty, off-duty and during training, giving them the flexibility to learn about their Airmen Other Information______both professionally and personally. We implemented MSOC to not only accomplish security operations in a more efficient manner, but to also tackle the long-standing issue of morale and retention among Defenders. For decades, our Defenders have struggled with quality of life issues, to include dwell time between field deployments and lack of white space on their schedule. During the beta test at the 91 MW, Defenders were able to exceed maintenance needs while traveling thirty-two thousand fewer miles a month, with the added benefit of an additional twenty-eight training days in their schedule annually. 2 As you see, the dedicated and highly skilled AAFM Newsletter Airmen in 20 AF are focused on innovation and continuous Volume 25, Number 3 September 2017 improvement. We are all in, and we will do whatever it takes to accomplish this mission while improving the quality of life of our Airmen and their families. I want to thank you for supporting our mission, our Airmen and their families; the work you do to keep our community informed and our heritage alive is instrumental to the strength of our ICBM community.

A Tactical Response Force member, assigned to the 791st Missile Se- curity Forces Squadron, attempts to re-capture the exercise resource from a simulated Payload Transporter van during a Road Warrior exercise practice. Defenders also saw a significant decrease in their duty days, going from consecutive 16 hour days to normal 12 hour duty days with squad leader flexibility to support maintenance operations. In short, MSOC is a win-win concept as we accomplish security operations more efficiently while improving the quality of life and morale of our Defenders. Our Hotel for 2018 While MSOC improves teamwork between th maintainers and defenders, our Road Warrior exercise Cheyenne in 2018 – Our 25 improves air-ground coordination during convoy operations Anniversary – by Col (Ret) Charlie Simpson while providing wing commanders a report card on the Registration is now open for our next National effectiveness of their Convoy Response Force. Road Meeting – our 13th since we formed in 1993. We will gather Warrior occurs annually and allows each missile wing to in Cheyenne, WY, 9-14 October 2018, using the Little participate as an integrated team. We execute Road Warrior America Resort and Hotel as our headquarters. You can find at Camp Guernsey, WY, where we have access to a seventy- details and registration information on the inside back cover eight thousand acre range that provides realistic terrain and and on our web page at afmissileers.org. You can register by without impact to the public. During the week-long exercise, mail with a check or online using Paypal and a credit card. about 70 defenders from a wing plus 6 aircrew members and Our 13th National Meeting will include some their two UH-1Ns from the 582nd Helicopter Group validate important milestones, the 25th anniversary of AAFM, and their ability to accomplish convoy operations against a Red will the “change of command” for the AAFM Executive Team led by the 620th Ground Combat Training Squadron. Director. Col (Ret) Jim Warner will replace Col (Ret) Charlie The Red Team is composed of members of the 321st Simpson, and we will have an appropriate recognition of this Contingency Response Squadron from Joint Base McGuire- event during the meeting. We will also be joined by members Dix-Lakehurst, NJ, who assist in the creation of realistic of the 556 SMS and the 3901 SMES for unit reunions. scenarios that will enhance the combat capability of the The AAFM board of directors will gather on Tuesday, Airmen involved in the exercise. 9 October, at the hotel for a day long board meeting. We This year’s Road Warrior will include more focus on began the day long meetings four years ago, with our first in mission planning and debriefing. Teams will spend the first Colorado Springs, and the next during our Omaha National two days receiving intelligence briefings so they can plan Meeting in 2016. Non-board members can attend, but will and train to mitigate the threats. Once they move into the not take part in discussions except in special circumstances execution phase, they will put their plans to the test against or for scheduled presentations. The board will dine that a simulated adversary. After the mission is complete, teams night at the Rib and Chop House in Cheyenne. will de-brief with the Red Team to highlight strengths and As we did in 2006, we will stay at the Little America areas for improvement. Resort and Hotel. Room rate will be $93 per night for a Road Warrior provides an opportunity for our room for two and two buffet breakfasts each day. As usual, defenders to assess the effectiveness of convoy operations, there will be some rooms available at the same rate three practice integration and hone in their lethality in the days before or after the meeting for those who want to visit protection of our most critical assets. the region. Contact information for the hotel is included on 3 Missile National Historic Site in South Dakota. AAFM Newsletter Saturday evening, we will gather at the hotel for the Volume 25, Number 3 September 2017 AAFM National Meeting Banquet, featuring a senior Air Force leader as speaker. We will host a number of young officers, enlisted members and spouses at the banquet. Sunday morning breakfast will be the last organized gathering, your one last time to socialize with fellow Missileers until the 2020 National Meeting.

Missiles at the Warren MainGate the registration page. We will begin meeting sign-in at 1300 on Wednesday, 10 October 2018, in the hospitality room. A $15 registration fee covers the cost of name tags, mementos, snacks and soft The Titan I First Stage Being Placed drinks in that room throughout our stay. Our hospitality - by Dan Kuecker, Executive rooms are always popular gathering places for seeing South Dakota Titan I Director, South Dakota Air and Space Museum friends and storytelling. That evening, we will gather for I wanted to provide an update to you and the the Welcome Reception in the hotel ballroom, with enough members of the Association of Air Force Missileers on the “appetizers” to make a meal for the evening. There will be a Titan I Missile exhibit here at the South Dakota Air and Space pay as you go bar during the reception. Museum. AAFM has been very generous in helping us with Thursday morning, after breakfast, we will depart this project. I'm happy to report that we were able to move for FE Warren AFB for a full day of tours and lunch, hosted th both stages of the missile to their new permanent home in the by the 90 Missile Wing and Col Stacy Jo Huser, the museum air park. I've attached some preliminary pictures commander. We will visit operations, maintenance, security and will send additional photos once we finish cleaning the and helicopter facilities and have lunch prepared by the missile and attaching the reentry vehicle (RV). The RV, Warren Top Three NCO organization. That evening, we will which your grant funds made possible is being fabricated by gather for an Italian buffet in the ballroom at Little America. a company called Action Mechanical in Rapid City and is Friday morning, buses will depart after breakfast for nearing completion. Once complete, we will then move the tours of local attractions in and around Cheyenne. Stops will RV to the Hot Rod Institute where they will finish the curved include the Depot, where we will also have lunch, the Terry nose-cone tip and then paint the RV for us. Following that Bison Ranch to view bison and other animals and wildlife, the we will mate it with the 2nd Stage. We expect those tasks to Old West, which features displays about Frontier Days and be complete by the time your newsletter is published. Cheyenne history and the new Cheyenne Botanic Gardens. Please accept the sincere thanks of our Board of Friday evening, we will return to the hotel ballroom for a Directors, our members and staff, and myself, for the critical Western Buffet and entertainment by Ground Zero, the band financial support that AAFM has provided in this project. that we all enjoyed during our Omaha meeting. Ground Zero includes former Missileers as band members and they will sing and play a few Groobers tunes, plus some great music for dancing. Saturday morning begins with our General Membership meeting, immediately following breakfast. As usual, we will have some great briefings and talks by Air Force leadership, the National Park Service and other agencies. A short AAFM Board Meeting, open to all, will follow. Saturday afternoon, we will offer an optional tour of the new state run Quebec-01 Museum, one of the Peacekeeper Missile Alert Facilities that was left intact and is being converted to a museum similar to the Minuteman Both Stages Emplaced on Cradles 4 us, but that didn’t mean that one should only interact with AAFM Newsletter one’s peers. I found many ways to interact with those around Volume 25, Number 3 September 2017 me at all levels. Most of us interacted with all levels at unit “official” social events, like holiday parties and changes of command, but there were some who only associated with a few coworkers or neighbors. I have met people in the last few years who were on the same base that I was on, at the same time, and couldn’t tell me who the senior officer or enlisted leaders were in their unit - and could barely recall names of any coworkers. I am convinced that those of us who interacted with all levels around us had much more fulfilling careers than those who kept to themselves. There were may ways to interact, all within the guidelines of good order and discipline. Intramural sports, hobbies and outside interests all provided excellent ways to get to know your juniors and your seniors. At Mountain Titan I Arriving at Mountain Home Home, I played water polo and volleyball, with teams made up of all ranks and specialties. You got to know junior Missileer Leaders – by Col (Ret) Charlie Simpson, enlisted members and more senior leaders a little better in AAFM Executive Director this environment. At three bases, I was very involved with You may have served a single tour in the Air Force the base sports car club - we ran single car timed events on as a Missileer, or you may have spent the majority of your base taxiways and parking lots, ran hill climbs on public career in the missile business. Either way, during your roads and in North Dakota, raced on frozen “potholes” time as a Missileer, you probably had some great bosses, during the extremely cold winters. We competed against commanders, team chiefs, shop chiefs or leaders. Of course, young two-stripe aircraft mechanics with MGs and Minis we all experienced the other end of that spectrum, some who to colonels with new yellow Corvettes. In Sicily, we set up were not so great, but in my 23 plus years in missile jobs, I a softball league about two weeks after we opened the base, met and worked for or with a number of very good leaders. and our small group of officers formed a team named the This article is, I hope, the start of a series made up of your “Upper Echelon” to compete with the teams from the base stories of exceptional Missileers you knew or know – put units - another way to interact with all levels. I was the base your story together and get it to us for a future newsletter. commander, but on the field, my tee shirt read “Slugger” and We all understand that a leader one person thought I played both as a pitcher and catcher. Golf was another was great may have been seen as terrible by someone else great way to interact with all levels, both in intramural – a lot depends on each individual’s personal experience matches and informal games. When I was in Spain, 20 to with his or her wing commander, squadron commander, 25 of us, from Airmen First Class to Colonel, would gather crew commander, division chief, shop chief or team chief. one or two nights a week after dinner for a “Skins” game, all This first article is about some leaders I knew well – and I teeing off at the same time on the same hole, playing for a know my opinion is far different on a couple of them than dollar a hole. With that many players competing there was the opinion of some other Missileers. This series is about the seldom a winner - it took a spectacular shot to better the “good ones.” We won’t put together stories about the bad other 24 golfers, and it was like playing in a hail storm, but it experiences – those are best left as memories of an event that was a great way to build spirit and morale, and get to know has passed. those who worked for you or that you worked for. My own view of leadership probably grew from Another technique I learned, and used more as a watching my father, an Air Force Chaplain and Baptist senior leader, was to spend time with a single young officer preacher, deal with people. His profession required him to or enlisted member. Off duty discussions with someone interact with everybody, and I automatically adopted that far removed from your daily routine could teach you much characteristic as I began my Air Force career. Some of us about what was happening in your organization or on your don’t interact much with our subordinates and our superiors, base. A couple of days after I got settled into my Portacabin and some even have a very small population of those they at Comiso, my quarters with a bedroom and a living room, I interact with on a daily basis. In my first assignment, I often realized that USAFE hadn’t made any plans for a place for had conversations unrelated to the daily routine with young the 400 plus people living 12 to a room in other Portacabins enlisted members, as well as senior leaders. As I moved to relax and watch television. There were a couple of up the leadership ladder in the Air Force, I continued those buildings scheduled to be completed in two or three weeks, relationships. We had very clear and concise rules about but nothing in the short term. I got one of the large television socializing and fraternizing with those junior and senior to sets and video casette players that would be used later and 5 lieutenant, having pinned on silver bars in May, 1961, and I AAFM Newsletter was assigned to missile maintenance in the 569 SMS. Most Volume 25, Number 3 September 2017 of my classmates at Sheppard were senior to me, and I was the only Titan I officer in the Missile Fundamentals course. My class for six week long Titan I course was, except for me, all crew members, and all senior to me. When I reported in to the 569 SMS, I was sent to the office of the Chief of Maintenance. The Titan Iand Atlas squadrons were organized similar to bomb wings, with a colonel squadron commander, a deputy commander and two senior lieutenant colonels who were the Chiefs of Maintenance and Operations. When I entered the Chief of Maintenance office, I found two senior lieutenant colonels sitting at two desks, one on the left and one straight ahead. Playing Golf with the Troops, Comiso I walked up to the desk that I thought was probably the put it in my living room, with a couple of couches. I put out Chief’s, saluted and reported in. The colonel at the other the word that the room was available 24 hours a day - I just desk said, “Lieutenant, I’m Colonel Jannot – Colonel Jensen insisted that the noise level stayed low when I was sleeping works for me.” After another salute, I was welcomed to the next door. I got to know the regulars pretty well - one was squadron and the missile maintenance organization. Lt Col an Airman First Class power production technician who ran Jannot then told me his plans for me. Since I had almost two our power plant and worked shifts. He would watch TV at years of experience in aircraft maintenance, he said he had some time almost every day - depending on what shift he decided I would be a good Job Control Officer, and that Lt worked. He also was the best dressed man on base - he had Col Jensen would be my first boss and get me started in the brought a trunk load of really sharp suits that he wore any new job. time he left the base. Every few days, when he was alone Both Jannot and Jensen had spent several years in watching a tape, I would ask him how things were going on Strategic Air Command (SAC) aircraft maintenance. Lt Col base from his standpoint - I got great insight from him that G. B. Jannot (“Don’t ever call me Gaylord.”) had been in I couldn’t get talking to the senior leaders, commissioned or the 9th Bomb Wing (BW) at Mountain Home since the early noncommissioned. About five years later, I was surprised days of B-29s and B-50s, and had spent the last few years when a staff sergeant stopped by to see me in my office at as commander of one of the aircraft maintenance squadrons. Minot - he was on temporary duty there and heard I was on I was told that he was the senior Lt Col in the Air Force, base. and when I looked in the Air Force Register one day, it was One more leadership trait I developed, again based obvious he was, at the very least, one of the most senior. He on what I had seen from some good mentors, was to always had flown bombers in World War II, and stayed on active recognize the work of those who supported the base. I was duty after the war, and was around for the birth of SAC in a base commander on four bases - at every social event at 1946. He was methodical, deliberate and he knew the SAC any of the clubs, my wife and I would always make a point and Air Force maintenance directives and the “SAC way” of gong back into the kitchen at the end of the event to thank to do things. He trusted his maintenance officers and senior the club staff. This isn’t to say that they always did a great noncommissioned officers (NCO) and let them do his job, job, but I saved any criticism until the next duty day and but that didn’t stop him from asking penetrating, complex provided that down the chain of command, to the officer in questions when he was concerned about a maintenance charge of the clubs and the club managers. I have no doubt situation. He wrote almost every thought down in a that the leaders I worked for during my career taught me the stenographer’s notepad, one of those tablets bound by wire right way to interact with people with positive impact on the at the top and about the size of half a sheet of paper. He kept mission. all these notepads in his desk, clearly marked with the dates I came into Titan I in 1961 after almost two years covered by each one. If a question came up about a situation as an aircraft maintenance officer in Air Force Systems several weeks or months old, he would open his desk and Command. During that early period, I was mentored by a retrieve his “memory” for that event. couple of really good officers, a Lieutenant Colonel and a In the first few months after we got our nine Titan I Major, and a Technical Sergeant, all veterans of World War missiles on alert, we all worked long days, often seven days II. That great mentoring continued when I got to Mountain a week. If there were people working in maintenance in Home AFB, ID, in the 569th Strategic Missile Squadron the field, Col Jannot was in the office, and was often in Job (SMS), again by people who had served in the war. I arrived Control with me following the progress if a missile was off at Mountain Home in February, 1962, after almost six alert. During those first few months, from June 1962 until months of training at Sheppard AFB, TX. I was a new first the Cuban Missile Crisis in October, 15th Air Force (AF) 6 the orders in his in basket when he was down the hall one AAFM Newsletter day, and waited out of sight until he came back and sat at Volume 25, Number 3 September 2017 his desk. Herbie and I listened to him utter a few expletives then start a phone call to personnel. We ran in, trying to control our laughter, to “apologize” for the trick. He took it pretty well – until the following week, when he got authentic orders to Grand Forks. It took personnel a while to convince him these were real. In late April, 1965, I drove one of my cars to Grand Forks, before my May PCS move. When I got back to the 569 SMS, I told Col Jannot how great the weather was in North Dakota – blue skies, green grass (unlike the Idaho desert) and temperature in the low 80s. The Tuesday after Memorial Day, I walked out of the 321st Strategic Missile Wing building (306) to go home for lunch. As I was scraping Col Gilbert Friedrichs at Grand Forks ice and snow off the windshield of my Jaguar, wearing my had a requirement to send a “Red Ball” report to the 15 AF Air Force parka, a blue Opel station wagon pulled up behind command post at midnight local every night. The report me – a very angry Lt Col G. B. Jannot, wearing his summer was a detailed summary of the alert and maintenance status 505 tan short sleeved shirt, gave me a very good chewing out of the nine missiles in our unit. For some reason, 15 AF for falsely informing about the weather in North Dakota. didn’t think that the SAC V-1 report, an electronic message Col Jannot spent his last three years at Grand Forks we had to send each time the status of a missile changed, first as an operations branch officer (OBO) (each missile was enough, so they insisted on the “Red Ball” every night. squadron had a full colonel commander and five OBOs, all That meant that I had to be there each night to prepare the lieutenant colonels or majors) and as commander of the one message on the standard message format form, which meant of the three missile squadrons. He spent a few months in Viet I had to keep a clerk/typist around, too. Shortly before Nam, flying C-123s, and returned to Grand Forks for a short midnight, I would have Lt Col Jensen review the message time before retiring to Americus, GA, which for some time then take it to Jannot for signature and release. He had a had a Titan I missile standing by the highway on the edge of habit of reading with a ball point pen in his hand, and often town. He passed away in 1992. He had been a good teacher he underlined text as he read. The first night, we learned for me and several other junior Missileers – we learned the that his “underlines” confused the optical character reader importance of attention to detail, documenting our actions at the message center, so we had to retype the message and and trusting our subordinates from a great Missileer leader. start over. I would carefully watch him, and take the pen out Lt Col Loyd Jensen had flown B-25s in the Pacific in of his hand if he started to mark up the text. It took a few World War II. Before joining the 569 SMS, he was in B-47 nights to convince him that we needed a very clean sheet maintenance at Dyess AFB, TX. I spent a lot more time of paper with no extraneous marks on the message form. day to day with him than I did with Col Jannot – although Luckily for us, during the first SAC Inspector General (IG) I saw both many times each day. Col Jensen designed and visit, the inspector had his boss call 15 AF and direct them supervised the building of our Job Control and Maintenance to discontinue this duplicate alert report. The IG told 15 AF Control offices. He supervised our NCOs and me witha that the V-1 reports did the job – there was no need for a hammer or saw in his hand – he was a working supervisor. separate report to a lower level headquarters. He probably did at least a quarter of the work himself. Col Jannot was a part of the 569 SMS from the Our squadron was housed in a former B-47 nose start to the end. When Col Bernard Garfinkel became dock, a large hangar that would hold a complete bomber, our commander, Jannot became the squadron deputy with only the tail exposed to the weather through special commander, and stayed in that job until we closed. He spent openings in the giant sliding hangar doors. All of the unit’s a few weeks working for the base commander after we shut offices and shops were in a frame building constructed inside down the missile squadron. While he was the deputy, one the hangar, with operations and some shops on the left side, of the NCOs and I decided to play a little trick on him. All the commander’s office in the center, and maintenance in all of us were receiving orders for our next assignment – I had the other spaces. The center of the hangar floor was used to just gotten mine for crew duty in Minuteman at Grand Forks store our spare Titan I missile and we set up a volley ball court AFB, ND. MSgt Herbie Vice, who was NCO in Charge next to the missile. Col Jannot’s office was next door to the (NCOIC) of Plans and Scheduling, had a good friend in Squadron Commander’s office, with direct access between the base personnel shop, so we had some bogus permanent the two rooms. A door on the opposite wall led to a large change of station (PCS) orders made up for Col Jannot, room that became the Maintenance Control Officer’s office assigning him to the missile wing at Grand Forks. We left and Job Control, so the Squadron Commander and Chief 7 walls were decorated with alternating wood strips and green AAFM Newsletter spaces. We all did a lot of sanding, staining, varnishing and Volume 25, Number 3 September 2017 nailing in the spring of 1962, and when we finished, we had a Control Center we were all proud of – all thanks to Col Jensen. Once we completed the construction and communications system setup, Col Jensen spent several days working with us on procedures, checklists and all of the details involved with controlling a large maintenance activity. All of our Job Controllers, including my NCOIC, TSgt George “Robby” Robinson (more about him later), had extensive experience in either Matador/Mace missiles or SAC aircraft maintenance, so training them was a piece of cake. They spent most of the time training the new lieutenant, since they all had a good idea of what our new job entailed. Thanks to the expertise of Col Jensen and the skills of those Col Friedrichs at Boeing Visit, 1965 superb NCOs, we had no problem transitioning from almost of Maintenance could walk directly from their offices into nothing to do to a very busy run of 24 hour days tracking the our 24 hour Job Control Center. All other access was either maintenance activity in our new squadron. through an electronically controlled door to the outside hall, Col Jensen moved from Maintenance Control to or through another door to the Plans and Scheduling office, Deputy Chief of Maintenance shortly after we became which was part of Maintenance Control. operational, and we had two more very good Maintenance Col Jensen’s design placed the Maintenance Control Control Officers, both with similar backgrounds as World Officer between the senior leaders and Job Control, so they War II veterans and bomber pilots. Jensen left Mountain had to walk by his desk to enter Job Control. We built a Home shortly before we closed the squadron, and spent wall to enclose this space, with room for the Maintenance several years in the 351 SMW at Whiteman AFB, MO, as Control Officer, the Civil Engineering and Supply Liaison a missile maintenance squadron commander and other jobs officers and a clerk. The remaining room was filled with in missile maintenance. I saw him last in about 1972, when our Job Control console and three walls of status boards. I visited Whiteman as a 3901st Strategic Missile Evaluation The console was provided by 15 AF, a large green and gray Squadron evaluator – he was retiring a few days after our metal “desk” shaped in a flat bottomed V, with each of the visit. He passed away in 2015 at 95, spending the last few three parts, the two arms and the bottom, each about six feet years in the Houston area, and attended Astros baseball long. Above the cantilevered work surface, which held all games well into his 90s. our telephones and radios, were six display panels sloping I met TSgt Robby Robinson a few days after I got away from the work surface, with six more above sloping to Mountain Home, in our big empty room that became Job back to the front for easier access. Each display panel was Control. Robby had spent several years in Matador and Mace about two and a half feet wide and a foot and a half tall. We in Germany, was a native of West Virginia and spent his off decided to only use the bottom part of the console, replacing duty time hunting and fishing. He had served in the Navy the top displays with large wall mounted displays behind during World War II, and entered the Air Force in the late and to the sides of the console. Directly in view from the 1940s. In those days, the Air Force didn’t give much credit console, we built a large painted metal display that had for time in other services, so he was a little older than most outlines of three Titan I sites, with a foot tall magnetic tape of his counterparts. Since the Air Force wouldn’t count his missile on the board at each silo. The missiles were red on Navy time for promotion, he was never eligible for selection one side and green on the other, and we used them to display to Chief Master Sergeant, and retired in the early 1970s as a status. Col Jensen added a drapery rod and drapes so we Senior Master Sergeant. could cover the classified display when we had guests. The Robby was an outstanding teacher and mentor for wall to the right of the console included a large display that this new lieutenant. He fully understood the Air Force and showed the results of each liquid oxygen loading for each of SAC maintenance system, was fully knowledgeable of all the nine missiles, and other panels reflected status of various the manuals and regulations that governed our day to day systems and subsystems. business and was an expert at dealing with both the senior Jensen was a woodworker, so he used his skills to leaders and the young maintenance technicians. He made dress up the room. All of the walls not covered by display sure that the sixteen or seventeen Job Controllers, all NCOs panels were painted a light green color (remember seafoam or senior Airmen, knew how to handle complex situations and green?) and we put one by one inch wide strips of darkly how to keep the Commander and senior leaders informed. varnished wood vertically over the blank walls, so that the During the first few months after we got our first missile, 8 doing the same at Grand Forks. He was a real anomaly in AAFM Newsletter SAC, since he was not a pilot. He had a great talk he gave Volume 25, Number 3 September 2017 often at predeparture briefing about his career. He would point to his chest and say, “There are no wings on this uniform.” Throughout his career, from the early days of World War II until the 1960s, he had always been a commander of a unit, and was very proud of that accomplishment, in a time when only those who flew airplanes became colonels and became commanders. After he retired, he moved to Utah to head the Boeing facility there, and lived there until he passed away a few years ago. He knew the people in his units well, and he remembered them – years later I would see him at a missile competition and we would have a good talk. Col Gerald G. Fall, Jr., took his place as commander of the 321 SMW. Fall had been at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, Brig Gen Martensen, Crew s-291 (Lear, Simpson, Cousins), and Vandenberg, so had several years in the missile business. Col Fall and Maj Grohosky, 1967 He, too, was a World War II bomber pilot. Like many during the two of us spent between 12 and 16 hours a day, 7 days a his time, he was not loved by all – some feared him, and week, in Job Control – his expertise and easy going nature some disliked him intently. Remember that during the early made the long hours much more pleasurable. Between him SAC days, the role model for leadership was General Curtis and Col Jensen, we had some real expertise at controlling a LeMay – a man known for his ability to intimidate and strike large maintenance effort for a new, complex missile system. fear into those he led. For LeMay, and many others, there is Robby went from Mountain Home to Sheppard, no doubt that the “intimidation factor” was a leadership skill, as a Titan II instructor. While he and his wife Marie were and to a certain degree, an act. LeMay was well known for at Sheppard, one of my brothers-in-law attended C-124 taking care of the people in SAC, and established most of the maintenance training there for several months, and the “people” programs that became common in the Air Force. Robinsons took Don under their wings and made him part of To me, it was clear that Fall followed the LeMay model – I the family during his stay in Texas. From Sheppard, Robby saw the other side of him, but many did not. He rarely slept, went to Vandenberg AFB, CA, as head of the Air Training he roamed the base and the missile field at all hours, and he Command detachment there, about the same time as my PCS did things that didn’t sit well with some. move to the 3901 SMES. We saw each other many times It was well known that he would wander into a shop during the couple of years we overlapped. He spent almost area, see an unsecured piece of equipment, like a tire and all of his off duty time at Vandenberg tearing down eight of wheel, take it with him and later call the unit commander and the old World War II dormitories and transporting the lumber ask, “Are you missing any tires and wheels?” He would stop to Council, ID, to use to build his retirement home. Carol young enlisted members in the elevator in the Grand Forks and I visited Robby and Marie several times in Council missile building and ask a technical question that demanded – they had the only house I have ever seen with a walk- a classified answer. The proper response was always, “Sir, in freezer – something every hunter and fisherman needs. I can’t answer that here, because the answer is classified.” For years, they would travel by motorhome to Valdez, AK, Those who gave the proper answer were told to come by his for a summer of halibut fishing, towing his fishing boat all office with the answer – when they did, he thanked them for the way to Alaska each year. Marie passed away several responding properly and safeguarding classified material. years ago, and Robby married a long-time family friend and Those who attempted to give a classified reply sometimes West Virginian. Throughout his stay at Council, he never got a quick, immediate trip to his office to await arrival worked for pay – but he was the person you called when of their commander, so both could be reprimanded. One you need help with any project, from digging a pond with morning in wing standup, a new communications lieutenant his Caterpillar to roofing your house to getting help with the was briefing the status of the wing comm systems. When Veteran’s Administration. Robby now makes his home in he stumbled on one, Fall asked him a question about the Lewiston, ID, and as recently as last year was still talking system the lieutenant couldn’t answer. Fall told him to come about trips to Alaska. back the next day and brief the details of that system, and I moved from Mountain Home to Grand Forks in to do a different system each day until he had covered all 1965, and spent five years on a Minuteman crew. There of them. The next day, I watched the lieutenant give a very were more examples of great leadership there, including two good summary of the High Frequency Radio System – Fall wing commanders, Col Gil Friedrichs and Col (later Brig said, “Good job, Lt. Do you understand why I asked for the Gen) Gerry Fall. Col Friedrichs had been the first wing briefing?” The lieutenant replied that he did, and Fall said, commander of the missile wing at Minot AFB, ND, before “I think you learned your lesson – you don’t need to brief 9 AAFM Newsletter Missile Models for Public Display Volume 25, Number 3 September 2017 In recent months, a couple of models have gone on display to help non-missileers see what our current weapon system looks like. One is in a place almost anyone can visit, the Minuteman Missile NHS (MiMi), the other is in a Pentagon display case along with a number of aircraft and missile models. AAFM Board Member Randy Tyymofichuk worked through his company, BAE Systems, to provide MiMi with a display model of the Minuteman III about six feet tall, in the current real colors. BAE produced the model using a 3D printer and delivered it to MiMi recently. Earlier this year, Brig Gen Steve Davis, former 91st Missile Wing Commander, contacted AAFM and told us there was no Minuteman representation in the display case in the Pentagon, a case that includes many models of former 321 SMW Blanchard Trophy Team and Col Fall and current US Air Force aircraft and missiles. AAFM any more systems.” provided the folks in the Pentagon with one of our standard When we went through a most comprehensive 14 inch tall Minuteman III models in the current real colors, emergency war orders procedural change in late 1967, he and the model is now prominently displayed. decided that he would personally certify every missile crew in the wing in the missile procedures trainer (MPT), with each crew undergoing a two hour scenario. I was one of three captains who were selected to be in the MPT with him, usually between midnight and 0600, seven days a week. The MiMi Missile from For some reason, I was one of the young captains that he BAE, Before Shipping, left, and the AAFM would talk to at social events and other occasions – and was Minuteman III in the amazed when, on one of the first nights in the MPT, he began Pentagon Display Case, telling stories as we sat in the cab overlooking the crew on below. the floor. If the crew was in some long, complex procedure, he would begin telling us how he built the golf course at Vandenberg, or some other “war story” from his past. Col Fall left Grand Forks the same week I did, and became the commander of the wing at Malmstrom AFB, MT. He was selected for Brig Gen and became the commander of 4th Strategic Aerospace Division at FE Warren AFB, WY, his final assignment. I saw him often during those years when I visited bases as part of the 3901 SMES. After he retired, he got a law degree and practiced law for several years. I saw him at several missile competitions in the 1990s. He passed away a few years ago. Throughout my time at Grand Forks, I was glad I was a junior officer, not one of the senior staff in the wing. My observation was that some that worked for him feared him, and thought he got too involved in everyday business. My impression was that he was not a micro- manager – he just wanted to ensure that all those under his command did their very best all the time – if he could pay attention to every detail, he expected each person in the wing to do the same. To me, he epitomized the old SAC ethic of doing everything perfectly the first time – do it right and do it by the book. There was no doubt that he was one of the most dedicated leaders I worked for. There were many others that I worked for or with during my time in missiles – and all of you had experiences that were good. We look forward to your stories. 10 recent period of American history. The park is open daily AAFM Newsletter 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Volume 25, Number 3 September 2017 New Year’s Day. More information about the park can be found on the internet at www.nps.gov/mimi or by phone at: 605-433-5552. Visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ MinutemanMissileNHS and Twitter at https://twitter.com/ mimi_ranger. Work Temporarily Suspends Delta-01 Tours at MiMi - a NPS Press Release The Delta-01 Launch Control Facility will be closed to public tours for two months, beginning Monday, 18 September 2017, to allow replacement of critical infrastructure. During the closure of Delta-01, visitors will be able to visit the Delta-09 missile silo and the visitor center during their regularly scheduled hours. After 18 September, ranger programs will be held in the visitor center Exhibit Case at MiMi theater twice daily. A ranger program will be conducted at Parker Exhibit at Minuteman the Delta-09 missile silo daily. The closure of Delta-01 is to allow for a complete replacement of the fire suppression Missile NHS - a NPS Press Release system inside the historic structure. The existing system Minuteman Missile National Historic Site is pleased utilizes components original to the building that were to announce the installation of a new temporary exhibit case installed during its construction in 1962 and have aged well at the park’s visitor center. beyond their intended operational lifespan. “This project is “While the park’s exhibits provide an excellent necessary to ensure the building and all the historic artifacts overview of the Cold War, the exhibit area did not include within remain protected so we can safely continue to offer a capacity to rotate additional items from our museum public tours now and into the future,” said Superintendent collection,” said Superintendent Eric Leonard, “the Eric Leonard, “We regret the inconvenience to the visiting generosity of former missileers has allowed the park the public during the fall season.” ability to display additional items which explore our Cold War story.” The exhibit case was purchased through the support of a 2016 Missile Heritage Grant from the Association of Air Force Missileers. A long-standing partner of the park, the Association of Air Force Missileers is a nonprofit organization for all who have earned the United States Air Force Missile Badge or the Missile and Space Badge, as well as others with an interest in past or current missile and space systems. The Association has given more than $250,000 to more than 29 museums since 1993. The preliminary exhibit in the artifact case are items donated to the park by Maj Gen (Ret) Robert Parker.. General Parker served as the Twentieth Air Force Commander, from The Subterra Castle in Kansas June 1994 to July 1996. The collection, including a red box code safe, will remain on display through this October. Missile site B and B Minuteman Missile National Historic Site's Matthew Fulkerson hosts, through Airbnb, a headquarters and visitor center is located off of exit possibility to stay in a former Atlas E Missile Base in Kansas, 131, Interstate 90. The park consists of three sites along now known as Subterra Castle. You can check out the site a fifteen mile stretch of Interstate 90 in Western South on AirBnB at https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/15758095 Dakota. Authorized by Congress in 1999, Minuteman He would also like to contact Missileers who worked Missile National Historic Site preserves components of in the 548th Strategic Missile Squadron, especially at Site # the Minuteman II intercontinental ballistic missile system, 6 in Keene, KS. He also owns an Atlas F site near Wilson, interpreting the deterrent value of the land-based portion KS, and would like to contact anyone who was apart of the of America's nuclear defense during the Cold War era and 550 SMS, Site #8. You can contact him at 785-363-3433 commemorating the people and events associated with this [email protected]. AAFM Newsletter 11 Volume 25, Number 3 September 2017

11 PBS/TMS Another Look of the Missile Squadrons - by Col (Ret) Charlie Simpson, Executive Director, AAFM, who served in the 569 SMS, 446 SMS, 447 SMS, 448 SMS, 3901 SMES and 68 SMS We first published the original article about squadron in March, 2000, and decided it was time for an update. Over the history of our missile systems, there have been many units - and the one that most of us felt closest to was the squadron. This article looks at the wide variety of squadrons that have existed since we first began missile testing. This Completed Model Kits summary tells a little about each unit on which we could find information. Some units have lived more than one life Atlas Model Kit - most started as World War II bomber units, and some were Horizon Models, an Australian company, recently active in more than missile system. The Ground Launched introduced new Atlas model kits. In their words, Convair’s Cruise Missile (GLCM) units were, for example, in many SM-65D Atlas was America's secret atomic weapon for the cases, reactivations of early Matador or Mace designations. Cold War. The Strategic Air Command had it operational Many changed designations over the years - Strategic Missile by 1959. It could deliver a 1.4 megaton yield payload over Wings (SMW) became Missile Wings (MW) and Missile 9,000 miles (14,500 km). Later versions launched spy Groups (MG), then Space Wings (SW) and then back to satellites, Ranger probes to the Moon, and interplanetary Missile Wings. Strategic Missile Squadrons (SMS) became probes to Venus and Mars. It also sent the first Americans Missile Squadrons (MS), and maintenance, operations into orbit around the earth. and support units designations also changed. We list the Horizon Models has two kits featuring the Convair full name of each designation the first time we use it, for SM-65D Atlas. Both kits feature: example, see Strategic Missile Wing (SMW) above, then we Finely engraved recessed panel lines use the abbreviation for all other entries to save space. Separately moulded pressure & fuel lines The Early Squadrons High quality Microscale™ water-slide decals Eglin AFB, FL, was the home of some of the first. Display stand and detailed instructions included The 1st Experimental Guided Missile Squadron (EGMS), The ICBM kit also features three different payload under the 1 EGM Group, was activated in February 1946, options to choose from. The Mercury™-Atlas kit contains to test the JB-2, VB-3, VB-6 and the VB-13. It became the parts and decals included to build any mission, including 1st Guided Missile Squadron (GMS) of the 550th Guided alternate parts for early porthole and boilerplate capsules. Missile Wing (GMW) in 1949, tasked with testing the MX- Horizon Models Pty Ltd, PO Box 305, Drummoyne 674 Tarzon missile. The 1 GMS and another unit, the 2 NSW 2047, Australia. Web page www.horizon-models. GMS, were active at Eglin from mid-1949 until late 1950. com, email [email protected]. The 1 GMS relocated to Patrick AFB, FL, and the 2 GMS moved to Holloman AFB, NM, under the 6540th Missile Test Wing (MTW), to test Matador and Snark missiles. The 12 585 SS under the 585th Tactical Missile Group (TMG). AAFM Newsletter Hahn AB, Germany, became home for the 69 PBS, Volume 25, Number 3 September 2017 first under the 50 TFW, then the 7382 GMG, which became the 7382 TMG. The unit became the 69 TMS under the 701 TMW in 1956, and it was joined by the 405 TMS, 586 MIMS and 586 SS, all as part of the 586 TMG, beginning in late 1956. Down the road at Sembach, the 11 PBS was activated under the 601st Tactical Control Wing (TCW) in September of 1954, becoming the 11 TMS under the 701 TMW in 1956. The 587 SS joined the 587 TMG at the same time, and the 822 TMS came to Sembach in 1958. On the other side of the world, the 17 TMS, which became the 868 TMS late in 1958, became the Matador unit in Tainan, Taiwan, first under 13th Air Force (AF) and later under the 6214th 26 ADMS, BOMARC Tactical Group (TG). Matador came to Osan, Korea, when 3 GMS, of the 550 GMW, was at Patrick during the last half the 310 TMS and 58 SS were activated under the 58 TMG. of 1950, testing the Lark missile. At the end of 1950, the 3 Mace followed closely behind the Matador. At GMS became the 4803 GMS, as part of the 4800 GMW, and Hahn, the 89 TMS and 405 TMS were Mace units under the lasted until 1953. The change was probably due to a new 38 TMW, beginning in 1962. At Bitburg, the 71 TMS, also USAF policy on squadron designations, since a number of part of the parent 38 TMW, was activated at the same time, four digit units came to life at about that time. The 4802nd but was under the 36 TFW for its last few years. Sembach Missile Test Squadron (MTS), tasked with Matador testing, Mace units, also equipped in the same year, were the 38 also activated at the same time at Patrick. Others at Patrick MIMS, 822 TMS, 823 TMS and the 887 TMS, all also part included the 6545 MTS, 6546 MTS and 6547 MTS, under of the 38 TMW. At Kadena, Okinawa, the 498 MIMS, 873 the 6541 MTW. These three units lasted until 1953 for the TMS and the 874 TMS were all part of the 498 TMG. first and 1954 for the other two. The 6555 GMS of the 6555 Snark GMW was also part of Patrick from 1951 to 1959. The Snark intercontinental cruise missile had a Three units were at Holloman in the 1952-55 time short life, with testing at Patrick and deployment at Presque frame - they were involved with missile test, but we haven’t Isle AFB, ME. The 556 SMS was activated at Patrick in tracked down the exact missions in every case. They were 1957, and scheduled to be moved north in 1959. However, the 6556 GMS, which tested the early Falcon air-to-air a decision was made to deactivate the 556 SMS and not missiles, and the 6580 MTS and 6580 GMS, both assigned activate a planned 702 MIMS, so the Snark was operated to the 6580 MTW. under the 702 SMW structure with no subordinate squadrons Matador and Mace until phase-out in 1961. The initial test unit for Matador at Holloman was BOMARC followed by units at Patrick and Orlando AFB, FL, and some The BOMARC interceptor missile was deployed of these then moved to Germany to become operational units. beginning in early 1959, both in the US and in Canada as part The 1st Pilotless Bomber Squadron (PBS) became part of the of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Most of the US units were 4800 GMW at Patrick in late 1951. These were followed by part of the 26th Air Division, and were the 6th Air Defense the 69 PBS in 1952, the 11 PBS in 1954 and the 17 PBS in Missile Squadron (ADMS), at Suffolk County AFB, NY, 1955. A training organization, the 4504th Missile Training the 22 ADMS at Langley AFB, VA, the 26 ADMS at Otis Wing (MTngW), was established at Orlando for Matador AFB, MA, the 30 ADMS at Dow AFB, ME, the 35 ADMS and then Mace training. Many AAFM members spent time at Niagara Falls AFB, NY, the 37 ADMS at Kincheloe AFB, in this unit before heading for Europe or the Pacific. The MI and the 6 ADMS at McGuire AFB, New Jersey. The 74 4504 MTngW had three squadrons, the 4504th Student ADMS at Duluth AFB, MN, was part of the 30AD. The Squadron (STURON), the 4504th Training Squadron (TS) 430 ADMS and the 4751 ADMS were at Hurlburt Field, FL, (for Instructors) and the 4504th Support Squadron (SS). under the 4751th Air Defense Missile Wing. BOMARC When it moved to Bitburg AB, Germany, the 1 PBS began were launched there until late in the 1970s. The 25 ADS, an evolution, first as part of the 7382th Guided Missile Group under the 10 Air Defense Group (ADG), was at Vandenberg (GMG) in 1954, then as part of the 36th Tactical Fighter AFB, CA, in the late 1960s. Wing (TFW) and finally as the redesignated 1st Tactical Thor Missile Squadron (TMS) under the 701st Tactical Missile The Thor was deployed as an intermediate range Wing (TMW) in 1956. The 1 TMS was joined by the 71 ballistic missile in the United Kingdom from 1958 until 1963. TMS, 585th Missile Maintenance Squadron (MIMS) and the The operational units were Royal Air Force squadrons, with 13 operational from 1959 to 1963. USAF personnel serving AAFM Newsletter with Jupiter in Italy sometimes wore the patch of the 36th Volume 25, Number 3 September 2017 Brigata, the Italian AF Jupiter organization. Atlas Atlas was deployed in three variants at bases around the US. Only one base, FE Warren AFB, WY, had more than a single squadron. There, the 706 SMW began with the 564 SMS and 565 SMS with the Atlas D system 1958. In 1960, the 549 SMS was activated with the Atlas E system. In 1961, this unit swapped designations with the 566 SMS, the Atlas D unit at Offutt AFB, NE. At the same time, the three squadrons, the 564 SMS, 565 SMS and 566 SMS had a change in parent unit when the wing designation changed to the 389 SMW. Other units in the wing were the 706 Missile Maintenance Squadron (MIMS) (389 MIMS) 550 SMS, Atlas F and the 706 SS (389 SS). At Vandenberg, the 576 SMS, initially part of the 704 SMW, was equipped with all three USAF launch officer performing duty along side their RAF Atlas variants, and became the first ICBM squadron in the counterparts. Units included the 77 SMS (RAF) at Feltwell, USAF when it was activated in April 1958. It was inactive the 97 SMS (RAF) at Helmswell, the 98 SMS at Driffield, from 1966 to 1991, when it became the 576 TS under 20 and the 144 SMS (RAF) at North Luffenham. The 99th AF. In 1993, it came under 14 AF, and in 1994 was renamed Munitions Maintenance Squadron (MMS) and the 672th the 576th Flight Test Squadron (FLTS), overseeing the Technical Training Squadron (TTS) at Feltwell, and later at operational test program for Minuteman and Peacekeeper. Lakenheath, were also part of the 705 SMW, which was the In 1996, it came under then Space Warfare Center, and the US parent unit for all the UK Thor squadrons. 30th Maintenance Squadron (MXS) and parts of the 30th Vandenberg had several units involved with Thor, Logistics Support Squadron (LSS) were incorporated into including the 10th Air Defense Squadron (ADS) under the the unit, and in 2009, it was assigned directly to Air Force 10 ADG. Initially, the 6595th Test Squadron (TS), under Global Strike Command (AFGSC). The only other Atlas the 6595th Aerospace Test Wing (ATW), had the mission, D unit was the 566 SMS, which became the 549 SMS in which was transferred to Air Defense command with the 1961 at Offutt, under the 4321st Strategic Aerospace Wing 10 ADG was activated. Some operations were at Johnson (SAW). Island. Other units were the 392 SMS, under the 704 SMW Atlas E units included the 548 SMS at Forbes AFB, and then the 1st Missile Division (MD)/Strategic Aerospace KS, under the 21 AD, the 40 SAW and finally the 55th Division (STRAD), the 4300 SS, which along with Thor had Strategic Reconnaissance Wing (SRW) and the 567 SMS, at Blue Scout missiles, and the 672 SMS, under the 704 SMW Fairchild AFB, WA, under the 92 SAW. Atlas F silos were before it moved to Feltwell as the 672 TTS. scattered around six states. The 550 SMS, at Schilling AFB, Jupiter KS, was part of the 310 SAW. The 551 SMS at Lincoln Jupiter started as an Army system, but in 1957, AFB, NE, was under the 818 STRAD. The 556 SMS was the Secretary of Defense tasked the Air Force with the at Plattsgburgh AFB, NY, under the 820 STRAD. The 577 responsibility for deploying and manning the system, since SMS at Altus AFB, OK, was under the 1 SAW. The 578 its range exceeded the 200 mile limit for Army weapons. SMS at Dyess AFB, TX, belonged to the 96 SAW. The 579 The 864 SMS was activated first at Huntsville, AL, in early SMS at Walker AFB, NM, was under the 6 SAW. In 1965, 1958 and then moved to Camp Cook (Vandenberg) first all of the operational Atlas units were closed as part of the under the 1 MD and then as part of the 704 SMW. In 1959, inactivation of all of the Atlas and Titan I missile systems. the unit became the 864 TTS, preparing Jupiter missileers Titan I for duty in Italy and Turkey. The 864 TTS moved back to At the same time that the Atlas was deployed Huntsville in 1960, and joined the 865 TTS and 866 TTS, around the US, a second liquid-fueled ICBM also came which were also activated in 1958 as the 865 SMS and 866 to life. The Titan I was active during the same period as SMS. For a short time in 1959, there was also a 644 SMS as the Atlas, from 1958 to 1965. Like Atlas, there was one part of the 704 SMW at Vandenberg. The operational units wing and several independent squadrons. The 395 SMS at for Jupiter were the two squadrons at Gioia del Colle, Italy, Vandenberg had one Titan I complex used for training and NATO I, and the single squadron at Cigli, Turkey, NATO operational test, with a short-lived silo called OSTF-1 (see II. Although operated by Italian or Turkish missileers, the the January 1996 AAFM Newsletter for a story about this warheads were controlled by USAF members of the units, silo.) similar to the Thor arrangement in the UK. These units were The wing at Lowry AFB, CO, began as the 703 SMW AAFM Newsletter 14 Volume 25, Number 3 September 2017 but then became the 451 SMW in 1961. The two operational squadrons were initially designated the 848 SMS and the 849 SMS, then the 724 SMS and the 725 SMS. The 4309 SS (451 SS) and the 703 MIMS (451 MIMS) were also part of the wing. The other Titan locations were at SAC bases in the west. The 568 SMS at Larson AFB, WA, was part of the 4170 SAW and then the 467 SAW. The 569 SMS at Mountain Home AFB, ID, was under the 9 SAW. The 850 SMS at Ellsworth AFB, SD, began life under the 28th 373 SMS, Titan II Bomb Wing (BW), but was then made part of the newly launch control complex remains as the Minuteman Missile activated Minuteman I unit, the 44 SMW. The 851 SMS National Historic Site. Equipped first with Minuteman I, at Beale AFB, CA, was part of the 4126th Strategic Wing, then the Minuteman Modernized missiles and ground system, and later the 456 SAW. the wing had three operations squadrons, the 66 SMS, Like Atlas, the Titan I program came to an end in 67 SMS and the 68 SMS. The 44 MIMS was active from mid-1965, the victim of progress as the more advanced Titan 1962 to 1975, the 44 FMMS and the 44 OMMS were the II and Minuteman began to join the deterrent force. maintenance squadrons from 1975 to 1992, followed by Titan II the 44 MXS, 44 LSS and 44 OSS until closing. Initially, all The hypergolic-fueled Titan II was deployed at Minuteman Airborne Launch Control System crews were three bases beginning in 1961. The 395 SMS at Vandenberg assigned to the 68 SMS, but in 1970, the 4th Airborne controlled Titan II sites that were used for training and Command Control Squadron (ACCS), part of the 28 BW, operational test until 1969. Each of the three wings had two took over that responsibility until it was closed in 1991. Two missile squadrons with nine missiles each, along with the other units, the 3 ACCS, for four years in the early 1970s, normal maintenance and support units. Little Rock AFB, and the 2 ACCS at Offutt, had missileers assigned to them in AR, had the 373 SMS, 374 SMS and 308 MIMS and was airborne control jobs. active from 1962 to 1985. Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, was At Warren, in the 90 SMW/MW, the 319 SMS, 320 home of the 390 SMW with the 570 SMS, 571 SMS and SMS, 321 SMS and 400 SMS started with Minuteman I in the 390 MIMS, from 1962 to 1984. McConnell AFB, KS, 1964, transitioning to Minuteman III in the early 1970s. The home of the 381 SMW, had the 532 SMS, 533 SMS and the 400 SMS became the only Peacekeeper squadron in the 381 MIMS between 1962 and 1985. USAF in 1988. The 400 MS closed in 2006. The wing Minuteman also included the 90 MIMS, the 90 FMMS and 90 OMMS, Six operational bases and Vandenberg had squadrons as well as the 90 MMS (unique to single wing bases since associated with the Minuteman I, II or III. Malmstrom AFB, the warhead functions were usually under munitions MT, home of the 341 SMW (now the 341 MW), was the first squadrons assigned to the bomb wings), and finally the operational Minuteman base. The 10 SMS, 12 SMS and the current units including the 90 OSS, 90 MXS and 90 LSS. 490 SMS were originally equipped with Minuteman I The 91 SMW/MW, at Minot AFB, ND, began life missiles - these were later replaced with the Minuteman II in 1962 as the 455 SMW, with the 740 SMS, 741 SMS (Modernized) missiles. All three squadrons now have and the 742 SMS, along with the 455 MIMS. The wing Minuteman III missiles. The units were first activated in transitioned from Minuteman I to III missiles in the 1970s. 1961 and 1962. The 564 SMS was built with the same In 1968, the 455 SMW became the 91 SMW, but kept the ground system as the Grand Forks wing, and began life same designations for the three operations squadrons, with with Minuteman II missiles in 1966. It was equipped with the maintenance unit becoming the 91 MIMS. Like the Minuteman IIIs when the 321 MG closed, and the squadron Minuteman wings, the 91 FMMS and 91 OMMS came into inactivated in 2008. Other units that have been or are now being in 1975. In 1992, the 91 OSS, 91 LSS and 91 MXS part of the wing include the 341 MIMS (1961- 1975), the became part of the wing. 341st Field Missile Maintenance Squadron (FMMS) and Whiteman AFB, MO, was home to the second the 341st Organizational Missile Maintenance Squadron Minuteman wing to be closed, the 351 SMW/MW with (OMMS) (1975-1992), the 341st Operations Support the 508 SMS, 509 SMS and 510 SMS, along with the 351 Squadron (OSS), the 341 LSS and the 341 MXS. MIMS. The 351 FMMS and 351 OMMS came into being in Ellsworth was home of the 44 SMW/MW from 1962 1975. The last three years, the 351 MW had the 351 OSS, to 1994. The 44 MW was the first Minuteman wing to be 351 LSS and the 351 MXS, until closing in 1995. inactivated and have its launch facilities destroyed, with the At Grand Forks AFB, ND, the sixth and last closing ceremony on 4 July 1994. One missile silo and one Minuteman wing, equipped in 1965 with the new Minuteman 15 activated in Europe, equipped with the mobile GLCM and AAFM Newsletter manned by US and host country military members. The US Volume 25, Number 3 September 2017 provided the operations, maintenance and support, while the host countries provided a good share of the security force for each GCLM flight. These units were operational until the last was inactivated in 1991 as part of the Intermediate Nuclear Forces treaty. The 11 TMS and the 501st Tactical Missile Maintenance Squadron (TMMS) made up the 501 TMW at RAF Greenham Common, United Kingdom. The 71 TMS (initially the 405 TMS) and the 485 TMMS were in the 485 TMW at Florennes AB, Belgium. The 87 TMS and the 303 TMMS were under the 303 TMW at RAF Molesworth, United Kingdom. The 89 TMS and the 38 TMMS of the 38 TMW were at Hahn AB and Wueschheim AB, Germany. 321 MIMS, Minuteman Comiso AS, Italy (Sicily) and the 487 TMW had the 302 II missiles and Sylvania ground system, began life with the TMS and the 487 TMMS. The 486 TMMS and the 486 446 SMS, 447 SMS and 448 SMS along with the 321 MIMS. TMW were at Woensdrecht AB, the Netherlands, which The 321 SMW/MG also changed to Minuteman III missiles was inactivated before the operations squadron achieved in the early 1970s, and added the new squadron maintenance operational capability. GLCM training was conducted by the squadron designations of the 321 FMMS and 321 OMMS. 868th Tactical Missile Training Group (TMTG) at Davis- The 321 MG was inactivated in 1998, along with the 321 Monthan. This unit had two squadrons, the 868 TMTS and OSS, 321 LSS and 321 MXS. One launch control center and the 868 TMMS. All were inactivated as the GLCM program silo make up a state museum. wound down. Vandenberg Some Other Units In addition to the Vandenberg units already Missileers have spent time in other units with varied mentioned, for fourteen years, the 51 MMS provided reentry missions. The 6586 TS, which became the 586 FLTS had a system and munitions support. The 394 MTS began in test mission at White Sands, NM. The 3362nd and 3349th 1958 and eventually became the 394 SMS, involved with Instructor Squadrons and the 3421 STURON were missile Minuteman testing until 1976, when it became the 394th training units. The 4525th Combat Applications Squadron ICBM Test Maintenance Squadron, and then in 1991, the was an Air Combat Command unit, and the 6952nd Support 394 MTS until 1994. The 395 MTS/SMS had both Titan Squadron (Missile Technical) had a missile related mission I and Titan II sites and test missions. The 3901st Strategic in the late 1950s. Missile Evaluation Squadron (SMES), assigned directly Munitions, Security, CE and Others to SAC Headquarters, was born in 1961. The unit was A lot of people served in a number of other units originally the 3901st Strategic Standardization Squadron that were not missile squadrons, but performed essential (SSS) (Missiles) and kept that name for its first three months. missile functions. Except in a few locations where the From 1991 until it closed in 1994, the squadron dropped the only wing was a missile unit, the reentry systems and “Strategic” from the unit designation. The 4315th Combat warhead specialists were part of the MMS that was part of Crew Training Squadron (CCTS) began life in 1958 as the a bomb wing or other major unit on the base. These people 4315 STURON, but changed to the 4315 CCTS in 1963. The wear the missile badge, and many are AAFM members. A unit was replaced in 1993 by the 392nd Space and Missile number of civil engineering functions were part of the day- Training Squadron (SMTS) (from the 392 SMS Thor unit), to-day mission of a missile unit, and members with theses until the following year when the 381 TG (reviving the unit specialties took part in the annual missile competition. number from the McConnell Titan II wing), was activated. Many other civil engineering specialists worked on real The group included the 392 TS, 532 TS, 533 TS, 534 TS property equipment at missile sites, even though they were and 381st Training Support Squadron (TSS). The 392 TS not authorized wear of the badge. In most cases, those and 534 TS were inactivated along with the 381 TSS. Other who maintained missile communications equipment were Vandenberg units have included the 6594th Launch Squadron assigned to Communications Squadrons that, for a number and the 6595 TS. In 1991, the 30 SW replaced the long-lived of years, were part of the AF Communications Command 1 STRAD, and included the 30 OSS, 30 LSS, 30th Range or Service. Some specialities qualified for the missile Squadron, 30 MXS and 30 LSS, and now includes a number badge, others did not. The speciality with the largest number of range, test and support squadrons. of people that was part of a missile wing was the security GLCM force - the thousands of young airmen, NCOs and officers Beginning in 1982, new GLCM wings were who provided missile security were usually assigned to AAFM Newsletter 16 Volume 25, Number 3 September 2017 Combat Defense, and then Missile Security Squadrons. During GLCM operations, these key people were part of the deployed GLCM flights, and in the last few years, Minuteman and Peacekeeper security troops have been part of the operations squadrons. At the same time the security forces became part of the operations squadrons, the site cooks (now called chefs) were assigned to the operations squadrons, along with some maintenance teams. The cooks, beginning in the early ICBM days, were assigned to the base support organization, but have always been an important part of the overall team. Some of the other people that performed critical missile maintenance or Rascal and B-47 support tasks included liquid fuels specialists, shop specialists from Monte Watts Returns Key to 341 MW Commander the field maintenance shops in the aircraft wing on the base Minuteman Key Returned (machine shop, sheet metal, etc.) and many others. The On 11 December 1962, the 10th Strategic Missile helicopter units and the many support units also provided Squadron, the country’s first Minuteman missile squadron, and still provide key missile support in a wide variety of achieved Initial Operations Capability (IOC) when the first areas. Many weren’t or aren’t assigned to missile units, but 20 of its Minuteman IA intercontinental ballistic missiles were a key part of the missile mission. were officially declared operational by Ballistic Systems Di- Airlaunched Missiles vision of Air Force Systems Command (AFSC). To make A large number of AAFM members worked with achieving IOC official, a ceremony was held and Major Gen- various tactical and strategic airlaunched missiles and eral W. Austin Davis, Ballistic Systems Division (AFSC) served in a wide variety of units in almost all the USAF Commander, presented a large key to Lieutenant General major commands over the last fifty plus years. This aspect Archie J. Old, 15th Air Force Commander. The ceremony of “missile units” is beyond the scope of this article and the made official the turnover of the first 20 Minuteman missiles available space in the newsletter and outside the expertise of from Ballistic Missile Systems Division (AFSC) to Strategic the author - it has been covered in other issues. Air Command (SAC). SAC had a large number of Airborne Missile That key has wandered around for the last nearly 55 Maintenance Squadrons (AMMS) throughout the life of years, but on 1 August, in a small, informal ceremony, that the Hound Dog and Quail systems. Almost every bomb key found its way back to the 341st Missile Wing (MW) at wing - and there were many - had an AMMS. The AMMS Malmstrom AFB, MT, to reside in the Malmstrom Museum Missileers was organized by many who served in those units collection. The key was presented by AAFM Member Mon- - a number of AMMS members are also AAFM members. te Watts to Colonel Ron Allen, the 341 MW Commander, on We have had articles about all of the AMMS units in several behalf of the Malmstrom Museum. issues of the AAFM Newsletter. You can check the index The key was found by Watts on the EBay auction on our Newsletter Library page at our web site to find these site and was being auctioned from the estate of Maj J. C. articles and others about squadrons. Mitchell. Watts was a launch control officer assigned to In the fighter units, missileers worked (and continue the 12th Missile Squadron and the 341st Operations Group today) on air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles as part of the from 1993-97. Since then he has continued to serve and is aircraft maintenance organizations or in the fighter squadrons passionate about his service to his nation. Not only does he themselves. This aspect of “missile” organizations has gone continue in the civilian sector supporting the Minuteman III through many changes in the history of the USAF, as the and Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) programs, makeup of fighter wings has evolved over the years. but also by keeping an eye out for unique items that could be acquired to enhance the heritage of the Minuteman story. Membership Program for Active Duty Enlisted Missileers Thanks to the generosity of a few of our senior noncommissioned officer members, we have a special fund set aside to provide free three year memberships to active duty enlisted missileers. If you are an active duty enlisted member and don’t belong to AAFM, complete the form on the facing page and return it to us, or go online to afmissileers.org and complete a registration. Just tell us by e-mail or on the form that you are a new member taking advantage of this special offer. AAFM Newsletter 17 Volume 25, Number 3 September 2017 Letters to AAFM Address letters to AAFM, Box 5693, Breckenridge, CO A Word from the Association 80424, or send by e-mail to [email protected]. Letters 2017 Missile Heritage Grants - the grant forms were mailed may be edited to fit - content/meaning will not be changed. in September to all of the museums on our mailing list - so Little Rock Reunion - Thank you providing info on the far, AAFM has donated $265,000 to museums for missile recent 308th Strategic Missile Wing reunion. I attended in displays, and will add at least another $10,000 this year. If August and it was great to see all who attended. I would not you are involved with a museum, ensure they get their ap- have known about the reunion if it had not been listed it on plication in on time. the AAFM website. Donald Hill, AAFM Mbr No A3190, Las Vegas, 2017 Global Strike Challenge - this year’s bomb and mis- NV.> sile competition is scheduled for mid-November at Barks- dale AFB, LA. AAFM is finalizing plans to sponsor a Santa We try hard to include all the missile reunions, but on oc- Maria BBQ dinner for all participants to commemorate the casion, a group makes plans and we don’t hear about it 50th anniversary of the missile competition. Our investment until too late to help get the word out. If you are involved account has done very well in recent years, so we have more in a unit reunion, let us know as soon as you start making than adequate funds to sponsor such an event. plans, and we will add the event to our list and provide a list Our Missile Models - we recently ordered another batch of members who were part of the unit. Keep in mind that of Minuteman III models in the current real color, the most the easiest way to have a reunion for your unit is to com- popular version we have available. Our supplier is increas- bine it with one of AAFM’s National Meetings. We take ing prices, so models ordered individually will now be $215. care of all hotel, meal and tour arrangements, and provide These models are manufactured to order and shipped direct- locations for unit meetings and social gatherings. One or ly to you, usually in 3 to 4 months. The Minuteman III cur- more units join us every time we meet. rent real color models will be in stock here in December, and will be $165 including shipping, Watch our Donations/Store Missile Competition - I really enjoyed the articles in the area for availability of these missiles. June newsletter about Olympic Arena (Guardian Challenge, AAFM Newsletter - Some of you place your mail on hold etc). I have always been a huge fan of the competition. when you travel or move to a summer or winter home. When When I was on active duty, I was involved from 1977 - 1987 our newsletter gets to your post office, we get a notice that and 2004; I competed twice, was a primary trainer, an evalu- we pay a fee for, telling us you are “temporarily away.” You ator with the 3901st Strategic Missile Evaluation Squadron may or may not get the newsletter issue. The post office three times, as a Strtategic Air Command Escort Officer 4 doesn’t tell us. You can save us that fee, and get each issue times and Commander of the 742th Missile Squadron (MS). quicker, if you change over to the electronic version. Just I would like to point out an error in the June issue, under the email AAFM if you want to change. article “The Winners- 1967-2015. The Newsletter says the AAFM Email Problems - a couple of our email accounts, 91 Space Wing (SW) won the Blanchard Trophy in 2004. To primarily the [email protected] address we use often, gets be accurate, in 2004, the 91st was actually a Space Group, trapped by the spam filters on many providers, especially not Space Wing. The Chief of Staff of the AF, Gen Mc- AOL, Comcast and some of the other common ones. You Peak, directed a one Base, one Wing policy. Since the 5th may or may not know if your email to us got through. You Bomb Wing was the host base at Minot the 91st became a may get a bounce message saying the address is spam, or Space Group. The missile ops squadrons competed for the you may get no notification. Our old primary, aafm@afmis- Blanchard. That year, one of my crews, Lts Vercher and sileers.org seems to work most of the time, but we have also Kovich, won Guardian Challenge from the ops side, and added some new addresses, including [email protected] and the 742 MS won the Blanchard - that was the first and only [email protected] time a Missile Squadron won the trophy. Col (Ret) Mark Smith, AAFM Mbr No A0366, Papillion, NE. New AAFM Executive Director - Jim Warner and I will begin tranistioning some tasks early next year, preparing for Mark has some good information, but some of his dates are the end of 2018 when he takes on the job full time. We will wrong. The 91st became a Missile Wing in 1991, then was establish a new mailing address in his part of Colorado soon, a missile group from 1994 to 1996, then a Missile Wing un- and begin using that address for some business later in 2018, til 1997, when it became a Space Wing. The Missile Wing but not make the full transition until after our October 2018 designation returned in 2008. Vercher and Kovick com- meeting in Cheyenne. peted in 1994, when the Blanchard went to the winning squadron, not the wing. The Blanchard was a squadron award from 1994 to 1997, then became a wing award. 18 AAFM Newsletter The New Members Page Volume 25, Number 3 September 2017 AAFM continues to add new members every few days. For all of you who have joined recently, here is a recap of the benefits and activities for AAFM. One important facet of AAFM is that the dues have not changed since we began in 1993. Annual dues are still $20 per year ($5 for active duty and students), $50 for three years ($14 for active duty and students) and $300 for a lifetime membership. Life membership donations can be made in up to 12 monthly installments. All dues can be paid by mail using a check or on our web page using Paypal. No other credit card options are offered. Our benefits and programs: - A quarterly, 24 page newsletter featuring articles and stories by members, official news releases and other information. The newsletter is available in full color for those who select the electronic edition, at the end of March, June, September and December. For those who prefer the print, mailed copy, the mailings follow the release of the electronic version by about three weeks, and the issues don’t have color illustrations. - Email updates monthly or as needed, to every missileer on our contact list. Please keep AAFM advised of email address changes. - AAFM’s web page, at afmissileers.org, featuring information about all of AAFM’s programs, a frequently updated “Warble Tone” section with the latest news about missileers, meetings, books and much more, including our “Taps for Missileers” list of missileers who have passed away, and more. Our page also includes access to Greg Ogletree’s collection of missile patches and our entire newsletter library. - A complete Member Directory, updated fully every three years, and with changes as they occur, available free electronically and for a small fee for a print copy. - National Meetings every two years, always near a base with a missile-related mission. - Occasional local area meetings at locations around the country. - Missile Heritage Grants to museums, donated in memory of members who have passed away, to museums for missile and missile-related displays. AAFM has donated over a quarter million dollars to date to museums for displays. - Participation in Air Force events, including the Bomb and Missile Competition and others. - A large library of publications, videos and CDs about missile history and missile programs. - A Donations/Store area with a wide variety of logo items, lapel pins and badges, CDs and DVDs, models, books and much more. A link is on our web page. New Members since 1 April 2017 Lloyd Buzzell, Richard Maxwell, Martin Ollenschleger New Life Members (some transitioned from regular members) - Michael Andert, Douglas Blackwood, Wallace Fowler, Jack Rupert, Larry Shafer, David Stumpf, Mark Taylor, Charles Wood Looking for a TO, and Authors AAFM has two requests - first, we are looking for a copy of the Minuteman I or II combat targeting technical order, the manual used by Target and Alignment teams in the days of on-site targeting of Minuteman. We can scan a hard copy and return it to you if desired. The National Museum of the Air Force publication, The Friends Journal, is looking for stories and articles from Missileers- If you would like to submit an article, You can contact Alan Armitage, Editor, Friends Journal, Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc P. O. Box 1903, 1100 Spaatz Street Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433-1903, Email: aarmitage@ afmuseum.com, 937-656-9622 Taps for Missileers Raymond J. D’Alfonso served in operations the 351 SMW and the 394 SMS, and lived in Cedar Rapids, IA. and lived in Vienna, Maine. Otis C. Johnson III served in Altas in the 551st SMS and Col (Ret) Kenneth E. Baker served in Minuteman in the lived in Hastings, NE. 351 SMW, in the White House and Department of Energy Col (Ret) Henry W. Poos, an AAFM Member, served in and lived in Spotslyvania, VA. Titan II in the 308 SMW and 390 SMW, in Minutemann in MSgt (Ret) Virgil Emmert, an AAM Member, served in the 90 SMW and at Hq SAC, and lived in Windsor, CO. Atlas D and Minutmena and lived in Topeka, KS. Robert Sletten, one of the 341 MW and Malmstrom AFB’s Lt Col (Ret) Donald W. Fink served in Minuteman in the strong civilian supporters, lived in Great Falls, MT. 341 SMW and lived in Albemarle, NC. Lt Col (Ret) Neal A. Sobieszczk served in Minuteman Former Capt Denis J. Hughes, an AAFM Member, served in the 321 SMW, 3901 SMES and 1 STRAD, and lived in in Minuteman in the 44 SMW and 90 SMW, in 1 STRAD Lompoc, CA. 19 Donate to AAFM Missile Heritage and Enlisted Recognition Funds Select logo and collector’s items from below for your donation Lapel Pins and Badges

______Space Badge lapel pins - silver, 1 1/4 inch, Indicate quantity of each in space above - $5 each, any 3 for $10 or 6 for $25 Total Amount ______Minuteman II Missile Badge lapel pins - silver, 1 1/4 inch , Indicate 100 and 200 Alert Pins quantity of each in spaces above - $5 each or any 6 for $25 $5 each 100___ 200___ Total Amount ______Total $______

AAFM Lapel Pin SAC Lapel Pin Cuban Missile Crisis Commemorative Pins $5 each or 6 for $5 each or 6 $5 each ___ or 3 for $10 ___ $25 for $25 Total $______Quantity ___ Quantity ___ Total $____ Total $______New Manufacture Full Size Missile and Combat Crew Badges - All six styles as above Finishes, styles and sizes available below - NS is Non-shiny, CF is chrome finish FS - full size SS- smaller size for shirt outer wear.Indicate Quantity of each - only the options listed below are available at present. Basic, No Ops Designator - NS FS____ SS ____ Senior, No Ops Designator - NS FS ___ SS ____ Master, No Ops Designator - NS FS ___ SS ___ Basic, Ops Designator - NS FS ___ CF SS ____ Senior, Ops Designator, not available Master, Ops Designator - CF SS _____ Combat Crew Badge NS FS ____ Badges are $10 each - Total Amount for Badges Ordered ______Official Chrome Finish badges, any of the six in either full size or shirt size available by special order, prices vary. Challenge Coins Challenge Coins Missile Competition Coins, $5 each, 3 for $10 or $5 for $25 In- dicate Quantiy for each Guardian Challenge Coins (AF Space Command Competitions 2006 _____ 2008 _____ Global Strike Challenge (AF Global Strike Command Comp) 2010 ______2011 _____ 2012 (Cuban Missile Crisis) ______2014 _____ Total Amount for Comp Coins ______AAFM Coin - $10 each, 3 for $25 Quantity ____ Total $______3901 SMES Mission Complete Coin $10 each ____ Total $_____ ICBM Deterrence Coin $10 each _____ Total $______Patches AAFM Patch Reproduction Patches $5 each or 6 for $25 Made for reunions and donated to AAFM Quantity ____ Total $______$10 each Total - $______(indicate choices) Subterranean Sentinels Patch $10 each or 3 for $25 341 MIMS ___ SAC with Quantity ___ Total $______Stripe ___ Cuban Missile Crisis Commemorative Patch 321 OSS ___ $10 each or 3 for $25 6555 ATW ___ 50 Years Deterrrence $10 ___ Quantity ___ Total $______ICBM Deterrence $10 _____ 20

Donate to AAFM Missile Heritage and Enlisted Recognition Funds Select logo and collector’s items from below for your donation

AAFM CD Collections - for research and historical use only - Photos, Tech Orders, articles, publications, other data - For example, Atlas is 8 CDs of data Indicate Quantity of each - Total Amount - $______AAFM and Historical Data CD set - $10 ___ Early and Airlaunched CD set - $10 __ Minuteman CD set - $10 ___ Atlas CD set -$10 ___ GLCM CD set - $10 ___ Titan CD set - $10 ___ Competition and Peacekeeper CD set - $10 ___ Matador and Mace CD set - $10 ___ All Eight CD sets - $50 ___ AAFM DVD Collections - for research and historical use only - Collections of films and videos from various sources, including documentaries that AAFM advised on. Indicate Quantities - Total Amount - $______AAFM Historical DVD set - $10 ___ Competition DVD set - $10 ___ Minuteman DVD set - $10 ___ Air Force Space DVD set - $10 ___ Early/Airlaunched DVD set - $10 ___ SAC DVD set - $10 ___ Atlas and Titan DVD set - $10 ___ GLCM DVD set - $10 ___ All eight DVD sets - $50 ___ SAC Memorial DVD - Dedication at Dayton - $10 ___ AAFM 2012 National Meeting at Malmstrom The Groobers Missile Music CD - - $10 ____ $10 each ___ Total _____ AAFM Logo Clothing and Other AAFM Golf Shirt in Blue or White Blue___ White__ Limited sizes available Call or email first for availability AAFM Dress Shirts Call or email for style, colors, sizes and prices or visit our web page for details and to order. Price and availability vary.

AAFM Golf Cap $15 Each Quantity ____ Total $______AAFM Brief Case $15 each Quantity ____ Total $______AAFM Poetry Collection - $10 ____ Greg Ogletree’s “History of the Missile Badge” - $5 ___ Missileers and the Cuban Missile Crisis” - $15 ____ 1998 AAFM Book, “Air Force Missileers” - $30 ___ Bill McKee’s Cartoon Book, “Missile Business” - $5 ___ Bob Wyckoff’s Collection of Poems - plus AAFM’s “We are Missileers” For the poem Missileer - choose graphics preference - one, more or all Missile Badge - Basic Senior Master Missile Badge with Ops designator Basic Senior Master Space Badge Basic Senior Master All Poems printed on Photo Paper for Framing - $10 ______Prints Cuban Missile Crisis Painting of Malmstrom’s A-06- $15 each - Quantity ______Total Amount $______Randy Mayse signed print for Malmstrom 25th Anniversary - TE on site - $25 each Quantity ____ Total$______Signed/numbered Art Project Print “Countdown - 5,4,3,2,1” - $15 each - Quantity _____ Total Amount ______Print of Joe Andrew’s painting, “The Guardians” - $10 each Quantity ______Total Amount $______Missile Models - Minuteman I, II and III models - available in white or real colors. Delivery time about four months - $215 each - call AAFM for details and to order or go to our web page. Order and Pay on-line at the Donations/Store area on our web page Books and Special Collectibles (pins, patches, prints, and more) also shown there Complete the form below and send your check to AAFM to the address below - shipping included Name: Address: City, State, Zip code: Total Donation Association of Air Force Missileers, PO Box 5693, Breckenridge, CO 80424 AAFM Thirteenth National Meeting, Cheyenne, WY, 9-14 October 2018 Celebrating the 25th Anniversary for AAFM Register On-Line, and use a Credit Card, at http://afmissileers.org on the Reunions and Meetings Page Registration - You must register using the form below no later than 8 September 2018. SORRY - NO WALK-INS Reservations - Make your hotel reservations directly with the Little America Hotel, amd ensure you say you are with Air Force Missileers. Rate is $93, including breakfast for two each morning. You must make reservations before 5 September 2018. Call 307-775-8400 or 800-235-6396. Not Staying at the Hotel? - If you are staying in a motor home, other hotel or with friends, or live in the area, you can attend any or all of the events. Complete the reservation form for the events you would like to attend. Hospitality Suite - Open every day when no other activities are scheduled, with snacks and refreshments. Registration fee covers suite operation and mementos. Attire - Casual dress for all events. Banquet business casual (open collar shirts, coats optional, no jeans) Refunds - Registration fees can only be refunded if you cancel by 1 September 2018. Inform us immediately if you have to cancel. Special Needs - Let us know of any special diet needs, handicapped access, etc. Schedule of Events - Tuesday, 9 October - 0830 - AAFM Board of Directors Meeting and Dinner Wednesday, 10 October - 1300 - Registration, Hospitality Suite open 1800 - Welcome Reception - Stand up buffet and pay as you go bar, $29 per person. Thursday, 11 October 0700 - Breakfast (included in room rate) 0830 - Depart hotel for tour of FE Warren AFB - lunch on base - $37 for bus and Santa Maria BBQ lunch. 1800 - Dinner at the hotel, Italian Buffet - $30 per person, Italian Buffet. Friday, 12 October 0700 - Breakfast (included in room rate) 0830 - Depart hotel for Tour of Cheyenne attractions, including Old West Museum, Botanic Gardens, Terry Bison Ranch and the Depot Museum, lunch at the Depot Museum. Return to hotel at 1630, $60 per person. 1630 - Dinner at the hotel - Western Buffet - $30 per person Saturday, 13 October 0700 - Breakfast (included in room rate) 0900 - General Membership Meeting 1100 - Board of Directors meeting - open to all. Lunch on your own. 1200 - Optional Tour - $25 per person - Q-01 Missile Alert Facility State Museum, and 3901 SMES Reunion Meeting at hotel. 1800 - AAFM Banquet with featured speaker and special program. - $37 per person, choice of prime rib or chicken Sunday, 14 October 0700 - Breakfast (included in room rate), Depart hotel

Registration Form - 2018 National Meeting Mail with check to AAFM, PO Box 5693, Breckenridge, CO 80424 Number Amount Name______Registration fee - $15 each ______Address______Reception Buffet - $29 each ______City, State, Zip______Thursday Tour - $37 each ______Phone______Number Attending______Thursday dinner - $30 each ______Friday Tour - $60 each ______Spouse/Guest Name______Lunch - Ham_____ Chicken_____ Arrive______Depart______Friday Dinner, $30 ______Special Requirements______Optional Saturday Tour - $25 ______(Enter names as preferred on name tags) Banquet - $37 each ______Saturday Banquet choices - Prime Rib ____ Chicken____ Total Amount ______For Base Tour For Active/Retired Military or spouse with ID card - Full name and SSN for each Member______SSN ______Guest______SSN ______For those without active/retired ID cards, Full Name, State Driver’s License No and last four digits of SSN Member______DL No______State______SSN Last Four______Guest ______DL No ______State ______SSN Last Four ______

Association of Air Force Missileers PO Box 5693 NON PROFIT ORG Breckenridge, CO 80424 US POSTAGE PAID Leesburg, FL Change Service Requested 34748 Permit # 1040

Reunions and Meetings

390th SMW - 26-30 September 2018, Colorado Springs Marriott. Contact: John or Susan Lasher - 520-886-3430 or email [email protected] All members of 308 SMW, 381 SMW and 395 SMS welcome to join us. 455/91 SMW/MW Minot Missileers - 14-18 February 2018, Las Vegas, NV, South Point Hotel, Contact Sam Hatfield at [email protected] or phone 703-354-1295. 556 SMS, Plattsburgh AFB, NY, Atlas - 9-14 Octbber 2018 as part of the AAFM National Meeting in Cheyenne, WY. Contacr Leon Hojegian at 973-7883-5738 or [email protected]. 3901 SMES - 9-14 October 2018 as part of the AAFM National Meeting in Cheyenne, WY. Contact Cliff Dobbins at [email protected], phone 573-418-2322.

Association of Air Force Missileers - 9-14 October 2018, Cheyenne, WY, details coming later this year. AAFM Board meeting on 9 October, opening reception on 10 October.

Plan your unit reunion in conjunction with our National Meetings and let AAFM take care of all the details. Get your reunion notices in early so we can help spread the word. Keep in mind that a significant number of our members do not use Facebook or email, so include a telephone contact number in your announcement.

AAFM is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization under section 501c(3) of the IRS Code. The Newsletter is published quarterly, printed by Leesburg Printing, Leesburg, FL. Board of Directors - President - Gen (Ret) Lance Lord, Monument, CO Vice President - Col (Ret) Bob Mattson, Cheyenne, WY Secretary - CMSgt (Ret) Mike Kenderes, Santa Maria, CA Treasurer - CMSgt (Ret) Bob Kelchner, Torrance, CA Maj Gen (Ret) Don Alston, Cheyenne, WY CMSgt (Ret) Joe Andrew, Wilmington, MA CMSgt (Ret) Hank Habenick, Cottage Grove, OR Col (Ret) Randy Tymofichuk, Layton, UT Col (Ret) Tom Cullen, Colo Spgs, CO Col (Ret) Patricia Fornes, Omaha, NE Maj Gen (Ret) Bob Parker, San Antonio, TX CMSgt (Ret) Mark Silliman, Benton, LA Executive Director - Col (Ret) Charlie Simpson Next Executive Director - Col (Ret) Jim Warner Association of Air Force Missileers, PO Box 5693, Breckenridge, CO 80424 970-453-0500 afmissileers.org [email protected] or [email protected] or [email protected]